PROFESSIONAL NURSE: SPECIALTY [PN-B1] GRADE 1–2 SESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS: MAXIMUM OF 20 SESSIONS PER WEEK PER PN (1 SESSION = 1 HOUR)

The advertised position is for experienced specialised nurses to join the Limpopo Department of Health’s sessional workforce as Professional Nurses in the Specialty PN-B1 Grade 1 and Grade 2 bands. These are part-time, hourly appointments rather than permanent posts, with each session equivalent to one hour of service and a maximum of 20 sessions permitted per week per nurse. The roles will be based at designated public hospitals across the Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Waterberg districts, including Pietersburg, Mankweng, Letaba, St Ritas, Philadelphia, Tshilidzini and Mokopane hospitals. Successful candidates will be placed into a sessional nursing database and called upon to provide specialist nursing care as operational needs arise within their chosen discipline.

The specialty disciplines open for appointment are broad and include Operational Theatre, Critical Care Adult (ICU), Child Nursing (Paediatrics), Child Critical Care Nursing (ICU), Trauma, Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, and Renal nursing. This variety means that the department is seeking nurses with a recognised post-basic qualification in one of these fields, not just general nursing experience. Applicants must hold a minimum of a basic R425 qualification, either a diploma or degree in nursing or an equivalent qualification that allows registration with the South African Nursing Council as a Professional Nurse. In addition, a one-year accredited post-basic qualification in the relevant specialty is required, except for Neonatal ICU nursing, and current registration with SANC in the appropriate specialty is essential. The grading depends on experience: Grade 1 candidates need at least four years of appropriate nursing experience after registration, while Grade 2 candidates need fourteen years of post-registration nursing experience, of which ten years must be within the specific specialty after obtaining the post-basic qualification.

The core duties involve directing and supervising the implementation of nursing care plans, ensuring quality patient care, and practising nursing in accordance with professional standards, legislation and quality indicators. Nurses will work collaboratively within multidisciplinary clinical teams, coordinate resources efficiently, and manage information responsibly. Strong skills in communication, report writing, facilitation, liaison, networking, problem-solving and computer literacy are expected. Because these are hospital-based sessional roles, candidates must be willing to work shifts, flexi-hours, weekends, public holidays and overtime when required.

Sessional remuneration is determined according to Department of Public Service and Administration approved rates, based on the nurse’s grade and recognisable experience following SANC registration. The vacancy notice also covers separate sessional appointments for Professional Nurses with Midwifery at a wider list of hospitals across the same provinces, but this post focuses on the specialty disciplines listed. These sessional posts offer a flexible way for highly skilled specialist nurses to contribute their expertise to public healthcare while maintaining a non-permanent work arrangement. Applicants should note that the selection process will link them to a specific hospital, so it is essential to identify the preferred centre and specialty when responding. This recruitment drive reflects the provincial health department’s ongoing effort to strengthen specialist nursing capacity through a flexible, experienced sessional workforce.